squiggly lightbulbs need special recycling!

[nittanyalum]

Is this common knowledge or am I not the only one out of the loop?

I love my squiggly lightbulbs mainly because I feel like I never have to change lightbulbs anymore, they last for-ev-er. Plus, they use less energy and are good for the environment yada yada yada.

Or so I thought! I don't think I've thrown one away yet, but I'll be honest, if I did or were to before I read this article, I would have just tossed it in the trash without a second thought. Why isn't it more well-known that they need special disposal and handling? Interesting article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23694819/

Shining a light on hazards of fluorescent bulbs
Energy-efficient coils booming, but disposal of mercury poses problems

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, long touted by environmentalists as a more efficient and longer-lasting alternative to the incandescent bulbs that have lighted homes for more than a century, are running into resistance from waste industry officials and some environmental scientists, who warn that the bulbs’ poisonous innards pose a bigger threat to health and the environment than previously thought. ...see article link for more...